Wildlife in India - Nagarhole National Park

K: We just left Nagarhole National Park after 2 days at a wonderful lodge in the national park. The surrounding forests are home to elephants, tigers, leopards, gaurs (wild cattle), wild dogs, three types of deer, many monkeys and a variety of different birds. The population of large cats and elephants is severely dwindling due to development, growth of coffee plantations, and hunting/poaching. This park is one of the largest remaining areas for such wildlife.

We had one boat safari and two vehicle safaris. We saw just about all the native birds and animals except the tiger and leopard. They are solitary animals and very elusive to see in the wild. We thought that we were close when we were tracking the warning calls of several deer. When they smell a tiger or leopard (as far as a kilometer away) they start making warning calls to their friends. It was an eerie feeling just sitting and waiting for a potential kill, listening to the animals warning one another. But we did not find the predator! We were lucky to see several elephants at the water's edge getting a drink and a swim.

The Cicada resort was a great "boutique" lodge at the edge of the park. Wonderful facilities and food. I am really becoming a fan of the dosa, a crepe-like breakfast food, usually stuffed with potatoes and spice and served with coconut chutney.

V: Cicada Lodge was a very, very nice place, so near the wildlife of the park. Excellent cuisine and superb service from its staff made it a fine place to stay. It is, indeed, a rather 'boutique' lodging, as it's backed by the money from the guy whose coffee shops throughout India are planned, ala Starbucks, to be found every 10 kilometers in India--everywhere, rural and urban.

The national bird of India--the peacock--was bountiful in the park, and were quite the sight as they hip-hopped up on top of tree stumps in the park. The wild boars were quite the fearless, nasty guys.

And the Asiatic Elephants are simply awe-inspiring to see in the wild.

It was utterly surprising to see a man astride a motorbike perched in the middle, amidst some people on one of the unique round fishing boats the locals use, a coracle.

And we couldn't help but smile at the beautiful children who came up to our safari jeep and waved and waved, and smiled and smiled at us.

It was an excellent couple of days in the wilds of south-central India.